AICW Closed Between Virginia and North Carolina

AICW locks at Great Bridge, Virginia

AICW News from Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net

Due to a damaged gate and electrical problems – motors were submerged by flooding – Great Bridge Lock is inoperable. Engineers must wait for the water to subside before they can begin assessing the damage and attempting to dry out the electrical systems. They are unable to determine a reopening at this point. With Dismal Swamp Canal closed, this means that the AICW IS SHUTDOWN FROM VA TO NC! And this from Donna Stewart at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center: there are trees down in the canal, and even with the 10-15 inches of rain received, there are still some 30 hotspots of fire in the park, so it will probably still be several weeks before the canal can be opened to navigation. All Corp Of Engineers equipment and crews are currently focusing on Great Bridge Lock.

For more information concerning news for the cruising community, follow the link here to Cruiser's Net.
Click here to visit the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway website.

MIle Marker "0" AICW

Preparing Your Boat for Hurricane Irene

(WWLP) - As a boat owner, you know that preparing your boat for a hurricane is just as important as preparing your home. Here's some important safety tips for boat owners as you prepare for an upcoming hurricane.

• Boaters should continually obtain the latest available weather forecast for your boating area.
• Have a plan worked out with your marina operator so there are no questions or confusion when the time comes to tie up or pull your boat from the water.
• Identify hurricane holes and safe harbors in the area in case you are caught at sea.
• Realize that you may not be able to pull your boat out of the water. Precious time is lost if you are searching for gear as a storm approaches.
• Boat owners should assemble emergency equipment and supplies, as well as all of the necessary gear on board to properly tie down their vessel.
• Insure your vessel is as watertight as possible. Use duct tape and plugs to seal hatches, ports, windows, doors and vents.
• Remove all electronics, valuables and non-essential items.
• Have your insurance policies, boat registration, a recent photograph and description of the vessel, gear inventory, marina or storage lease agreement and important telephone numbers (local harbormaster, U.S. Coast Guard, National Weather Service, insurance agent) in a secure place off of the boat.
• When you are through, help your neighbor. It only takes one poorly tied boat in a marina to destroy an entire dock.
• Do not stay on the boat

For more information on how to prepare your boat for a hurricane, please  visit BoatUS hurricane resource center.

Always plan for the worst and hope for the best! 

Mile Marker "O"

Seawall Art Show 2011 Cancelled

Due to the impending storm headed towards our area this weekend the Seawall Art Show Committee has decided to cancel the show. 

Our first and foremost concern is for the safety of our artists and guests. This was a hard decision to make, but we feel it's the right one.

Stay safe everyone.

Best regards,
The Seawall Art Show Committee

Seawall Art Show in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Sunday, August 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 If you want to find that one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, then the waterfront at Portsmouth, VA's historic Olde Towne is the place to be August 27th and 28th. High Street and the waterfront will be hosting the 41st Annual Seawall Art Show, with some 90 juried artists. As in previous years, expect to find a little of everything, from wood carving to oil paintings, handwoven clothing to art glass, fine jewelry to pottery, and more.

Marine carvings at the Seawall Art Show located in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

With more than 30 years experience showcasing juried fine arts and fine crafts on the Portsmouth waterfront, the Seawall Art Show draws large crowds of art buyers to this prestigious event. With the assistance of the Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts Commission, it is an all volunteer run show. Show proceeds always go to support the arts in Portsmouth.

Exhibitors tent at Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia's annual Seawall Art Show.

For more information about this annual event, visit their website at 2011 Seawall Art Show. 

Don't forget to also support Olde Towne Portsmouth's fine merchants and restaurants too!



The Coast Guard and City of Portsmouth Celebrate "100 Years of Flying"

The United States Coast Guard celebrates "100 years of Flying"

Portsmouth is planning its second Coast Guard City Celebration for Aug. 4 through 6.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Coast Guard’s 221st birthday and will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of aviation in the sea services, according to a city news release. Festivities include a free concert, an art and aviation exhibit, street festival rides and a barbecue.

For a list of events, visit the Coast Guard and the City of Portsmouth website

European-style bakery to Open in Olde Towne Portsmouth



 By David Cartier
A New Day in Olde Towne

Residents have been waiting for years for a bakery to come to the Olde Towne neighborhood.  Well, the wait is almost over.  Artisans Bakery & Café is scheduled to open in mid-July 2011.

Owners Georg & Karen Seyrlehner were looking to bring a taste of Europe to Hampton Roads. Their journey started last October. To the delight of many, the two Chesapeake natives chose historic Olde Towne Portsmouth. "We just kept coming back to Old Towne and this building", stated Seyrlehner. The bakery and café will be in a Queen Anne Victorian home at 711 Washington Street, just off the downtown High Street corridor.

Artisans Bakery and Cafe's new location at 711 Washington Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

The couple wanted a location where they could provide high quality foods in a relaxing setting. Their dream was to open a bakery that would provide artisanal breads and pastries that they have experienced in their travels throughout Europe during their 14-year marriage. Click on the link here to read the full story about Artisans Bakery and Cafe.

Va. authorities cracking down on drunken boaters



Virginia authorities will be setting up checkpoints and performing breath tests  this weekend.


Virginia authorities will be cracking down on drunken boaters this weekend.

Conservation police officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be patrolling state's waterways, setting up checkpoints and performing breath tests over the weekend. It is part of Operation Dry Water, a national effort coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

It is illegal to operate a boat with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.

Last year, 15 people died in 105 reported boat accidents in Virginia.

Nationwide, almost 20 percent of boating-related fatalities are a result of alcohol, drugs or medications.